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Keep gifts affordable when shopping for hostesses

Teatro Verde Elegant Writing Paper

Photograph by: Photo
, Handout

Choosing a gift for your hostess can be a trying task. You want something unique, but not too personal. Something nice but that doesn’t scream over-the-top. What’s a party goer to do?

First, consider your budget, says Laurie Campbell, executive director of Credit Canada. Keep gifts affordable and meaningful, not expensive and showy. “When you’re hosting a gathering, the friends and family members you invite will likely host a gathering of their own at some point. The last thing you want to do is spend a lot on someone and create obligatory feelings that your guests will have to stick with that same level of extravagance,” she says.

Next, think about quality. According to etiquette expert Jennifer Lawrence in Toronto, adhering to a budget doesn’t mean compromising on quality. “For someone with $20 to spend, a bottle or two of top-quality sparkling water is a better choice than an affordable but vinegary wine. Similarly, having one perfect gerbera daisy floating in a glass rose bowl beats out a more expensive convenience-store bouquet any day,” she says.

Then get creative. While giving wine as a gift is usually a safe bet for those who imbibe, choosing out-of-the-box options can be more meaningful, says Lawrence. Gourmet snacks, such as a pot of fancy jam or chutney, olive spread, or a basket of in-season fruit are great ideas for the foodie, while a nice beeswax or soy candle never goes unappreciated by decor fans. And for the person who’s unlikely to spoil themselves, small, practical items like tiny leather address books, coffee table books, elegant writing paper, French-milled soap or fancy kitchen utensils (such as an exquisite cheese grater, kitschy salt and pepper shakers or classic condiment bowls and tray) are the kind of gifts loved by many but bought by few, she says.

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of homemade gifts. As someone who has put on a holiday social for the past 12 years, hostess Sarah Colter of Woodstock, N.B. says her most memorable tokens haven’t come courtesy of a hefty price tag. “Don’t get me wrong; traditional gifts are great, but the two that stand out for me really involved some thought. One was a basket of non-toxic cleaning products a friend knew I regularly used and loved, and the other was two simple jars of a friend’s homemade strawberry jam that were wrapped in a band of my favourite wallpaper pattern. Knowing that they both put so much thought and effort into their gifts meant a lot.”

Shopping tips for hostess gifts

• Make the gift personal. A bottle of wine may be your standard gift, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. Think about the recipient’s interests and tastes, and make the present specific to them.

• Dress it up. For example, flowers can make a great gift, but presenting them in drab store-bought wrapping dulls the effect. Take time to trim the stems, place them in an attractive vase and add a finishing touch —_such as a ribbon or a handwritten thank-you note — to take your small gesture to the next level.

• Buy in bulk. Last-minute gatherings have a way of cropping up around the holidays, so when you find a great hostess gift that’s affordable and likely to be appreciated by more than one person, buy and store a few extras.

• Shop around. Such stores as Pottery Barn, Urban Barn, Anthropologie, West Elm, Williams-Sonoma and Indigo are meccas for eye-catching gift ideas. Independent boutiques often stock unique gifts, and sites like www.etsy.com, as well as art and craft fairs, are other worthy options.

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